Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium: UP Rudras took on Soorma Hockey Club and beat them 3-0 in the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium here on Thursday. This is UP Rudras' second successive win in as many matches as they lead the standings with six points.
Sudeep Chirmako (2’) scored early in the game for the UP Rudras, while Soorma Hockey Club created multiple opportunities in the second quarter, the UP Rudras held firm and Jobanpreet Singh (38’) doubled their lead in the third quarter. Akashdeep Singh (58’) scored in the last quarter to seal the UP Rudras’ second win in the League. UP Rudras took control of the game right from the push-off, forcing Soorma Hockey Club to defend deep. In just the second minute, Gurjot Singh ventured into the shooting circle and found Lalit Kumar Upadhyay but his shot was deflected to Sudeep Chirmako who unleashed a rocket on the half-turn to score the first goal of the game.
Soorma Hockey Club began stringing passes together as the quarter progressed and rebuffed the Rudras’ advances on their goal. Soorma went on to earn two penalty corners as the first quarter came to an end but failed to find the back of the net. UP Rudras continued to employ a high press in the second quarter but Soorma grew into the game, earning a slew of penalty corners but the Rudras’ defensive unit, led by first rusher Lars Balk and goalkeeper James Mazarelo remained alert to avert any danger to their goal.
